Cloe Poisson: October 2010 Archives

While trolling for feature shots in between shooting runners crossing the finish line at the ING Hartford Marathon, I glanced into the elite runner's recovery tent and saw Jeannette Faber, the women's marathon winner getting a post-race massage. As I approached to ask if she minded being photographed I could see the men's winner, Michael Wardian, also getting a massage on the other table. What are the chances, I thought, of finding BOTH winners getting a massage at the same time. Stroke of luck, I thought, and I started shooting. To my dismay, when I saw the photo in the next day's paper it was only slightly larger than a postage stamp. Too small, in my view, but space is precious these days. So I thought I'd give it another shot. Unfortunately pictures can lose detail and impact if not given the size they need.

Being part of the media zoo at a news event is never a comfortable assignment, especially when your subject is the victim of a horrific crime.

Dr. William Petit's wife, Jennifer Hawke-Petit and his two daughters, Hayley, 17, and Michaela, 11, were murdered in a violent home invasion in July 2007 in Cheshire. Dr. Petit, who was severely beaten, survived the attack.

On Tuesday, a jury found Steven Hayes - one of the accused - guilty of the murders after eight days of wrenching testimony.

With grace and dignity, Dr. Petit emerged from the courthouse to address the media. I couldn't begin to imagine the pain he has endured and I was awed by his composure as he reflected on the verdict. His father, William Petit Sr. grasped his son's right arm as he spoke, and his sister, Johanna Chapman, supported him on his left. Her face was etched with pain. Their suffering was palpable. His comments were poignant.

"We did our best to keep our faith in God that justice would be served," Petit said, pausing briefly as he spoke. "There is some relief, but my family is still gone. It doesn't bring them back. It doesn't bring back the home that we had, but certainly a guilty verdict is a much better sense of relief than a verdict of not guilty."

Dr. Petit had to navigate the scrum of photographers and reporters every day of the trial from the moment he exited his car across the street from the courthouse to the moment he returned at the end of the day. Although I was only assigned on the day of the verdict, I couldn't imagine how he dealt with the intense scrutiny. I was glad I didn't have to be a part of that day after day.

The following photos and text are from fellow Courant photographer Stephen Dunn, who photographed the scene as well.

On Tuesday, we all waited outside of the courthouse in case the jury reached a verdict. Cameras were not allowed in the courtroom for this case. I have done this many times but this time was different. Instead of sitting outside on the steps and wondering what was going on inside, I sat in my car with my laptop open and I followed the Twitter feed from Courant columnist Helen Ubinas who was tweeting from inside the courtroom. She updated every 20 seconds or so. I knew exactly what was happening, when the marshals were in the room, when the judge appeared and finally, when the jury foreman opened the door with a note for the judge. That's when I ran across the street and got in position.

This has been an incredible case to cover for the past 3 years. Every time I see Dr. Petit, I just try to imagine what he is thinking and I can't. The crimes against his family are so heinous, I don't know how he stays so composed at these events.